There are rumors that Apple will update it's MacBook Pro processor upon Leopard's release (Spring 2007). They will boost the present 2.33 Ghz Core 2 Duo to 2.44 Ghz Core 2 Duo and of course iLife '07.
I think the Macbook Pro still looks really sexy but there has to be an update to its casing soon, the 17 inch model still looks the same as it did in 2003. The 15 inch model went through some refinement (making it 1inch thick, a bit different casing also).
Apple has the best design out there, it's incredible how a laptop design from 2003 still looks better than all PCs including Sony Vaios.

There are rumors that Apple will update it's MacBook Pro processor upon Leopard's release (Spring 2007). They will boost the present 2.33 Ghz Core 2 Duo to 2.44 Ghz Core 2 Duo and of course iLife '07.
I think the Macbook Pro still looks really sexy but there has to be an update to its casing soon, the 17 inch model still looks the same as it did in 2003. The 15 inch model went through some refinement (making it 1inch thick, a bit different casing also).
Apple has the best design out there, it's incredible how a laptop design from 2003 still looks better than all PCs including Sony Vaios.

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I hate to say thast although I think the current design *looks* great, I don't think it represents great design. Form has bypassed function in many ways and Apple just doesn't seem to get it.

In my mind, powerbook G3 pismo represents Apple at its best: user-centric, ergonomic with beautiful design. For its time, it was the best of the best. The macbook pros are made of thin aluminum that dents, bulges and is not really suitable for real, carefree portable use. I long for an Apple laptop that not only looks good, but that I don't have to be so careful with! Also there are several key design elements that just don't take into consideration the user: the ridiculously limited display tilt, the rather stiff, flat trackpad button, the narrow latch release button, to name a few. The limited tilt together with poor viewing angles of the LCDs apple uses encourages poor posture just to get an optimum view of the display; the rather stiff trackpad button puts unnecessary stress on the tendons of the thumb (try most PC laptops and pre-metal powerbooks to see what I mean - they're all more comfortable and easy to press); the narrow release button forces users to squeeze the tip of their fingers into it to press.

I love the look of the macbook pro, but I think there are lots of things that can be improved. Especially ergonomic things like the above. Minimalism is great, but only if it is combined with a user-centricism.

I'm in the same boat as 0606, having spent the last 12 months carefully saving my money.

MY CASE FOR WAITING

I guess that the new MBPs will arrive before the end of Spring. I also guess that they will have...

Leopard and iLife '07 (saving me around £150)

The usual processor bump plus maybe more HD for the money.

Possibly a new case design (perhaps with a removable HD) and/or OLED displays. Either would be a nice bonus.

Also, my iBook G4 still chugging away quite nicely, and the main reason I want a MPB is to run Illustrator CS3 which isn't even out yet.

MY CASE FOR BUYING NOW

The C2D MBP line-up is really, really beautiful. Hardware-wise they already do everything I need, and they're just within my budget. They also seem to be quite reliable, which might not be the case if the new MBPs are a major revision.

The MBP is mid cycle according to Macrumors at the moment with 76 days before the average update time is up. If we now move to our calenders we can see that 76 days from now takes us to some time in May. The WWDC is in early June, so the average time comes up just before this happens.

Such rudimentary mathematics brings me to believe that we shall have a WWDC refresh of the MBP or possibly before. I think WWDC is likely because the MBP is aimed at the professional market. This would result in the product being released after its average is done, which I would put my money on.

That's the other reason I'd probably disagree with xlii's prediction, the MBP is a pro laptop for 'Serious Business®' and the Macbook is aimed at the education market, far more than the Pro is.

The other possibility, is that the new MBP is released before the WWDC by possibly several months. It could be timed with a new iMac to hit the Leopard release date, some time in spring, which suggests April or May to me, May isn't far off the June WWDC so I doub't they would hold a separate event so close to the WWDC, but April looks like a possibility.

Another thing they could tie it in with is the release date for Adobe CS3, has that been announced yet? I don't know, if you do post it and we can see. As CS3 is such a key product for Apple, it would make sense for them and Adobe to have a big bash at the Moscone centre with Steveo getting the chance to shake hands with the big graphic cheeses at Adobe, a joint release would offer a big boost to both products

I'm not getting my hands on anything till June either way, when my GCSEs finish and its my birthday, so these are just the musings of a procrastinating teenager.

I have no relation to anything that's 'in the wheels' at Cupertino, but that's what a lowly student came up with based on pre-announced Apple dates and average refresh times.

In my mind, powerbook G3 pismo represents Apple at its best: user-centric, ergonomic with beautiful design. For its time, it was the best of the best.

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I couldn't agree more! and I don't think Apple will ever come up with anything as good. A couple of years ago I was hoping they will come up with something which is not as metal looking as the current models, but to no avail. Now I completely lost hope. Pismo had everything, looks and ergonomics (bays, easy upgrades...). Who knows maybe one day....

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